Picture Books: Traditions at Events
Tribal events bring people together in celebration, in honor of, or in memoriam. Traditions can celebrate a culture and provide a thread throughout generations of families.
With nearly six hundred federally recognized Tribal Nations in the United States, events like powwows filled with delicious food, powerful drums, meaningful songs, and fantastic dancers unite each community in their own unique way.
Bowwow Powwow
Author
Brenda J. Child (Ojibwe)
Illustrator
Jonathan Thunder (Red Lake Ojibwe)
Summary
The best days of summer end at the powwow, but Windy Girl takes the revelry of the gathering one step farther, into a dreamworld where the dancers and singers are dogs. Windy Girl is blessed with a vivid imagination. From Uncle she gathers stories of long-ago traditions, about dances and sharing and gratitude. This story is a celebration of a cultural event—the powwow—where the community (both past and present) comes together.
Forever Cousins
Author
Laurel Goodluck (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Tsimshian Nations)
Illustrator
Jonathan Nelson (Navajo)
Summary
Kara and Amanda are best-friend cousins, but then Kara leaves the city to move back to the Rez. Kara and Amanda hate not being together. Each girl worries that the other hasn’t missed her, but they reunite at a family reunion. After spending days together, a naming ceremony takes place, with a tradition of burning sweetgrass and sage. The girls reconnect and realize that they are still forever cousins. This story highlights the ongoing impact of the 1950s Indian Relocation Act on Native families, even today, and reminds readers that the power of friendship and family can bridge any distance.
Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story
Author
Kevin Noble Maillard (Seminole Nation of Oklahoma)
Illustrator
Juana Martinez-Neal
Summary
Fry Bread depicts a modern Native American family, history, culture, and traditions. Each page in this book introduces how different Native cultures and many kinds of families are united through a traditional food—fry bread. The author’s note also talks about fry bread and its connection to culture in more detail.
Jingle Dancer
Author
Cynthia Leitich-Smith (Muscogee Nation)
Illustrator
Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu
Summary
A contemporary Native American girl turns to her family and community for support. Jenna loves the tradition of jingle dancing that has been shared over generations in her family and intertribal community. She hopes to dance at the next powwow. But with the day quickly approaching, she has a problem—how will her dress sing if it has no jingles?
At powwows around the country, jingle dancing is a popular category in dancing competition. Regalia, or special dance attire, can be elaborate and stunning. This story demonstrates how a young girl is supported and encouraged by her Aunties to make her jingle dress and compete in the upcoming powwow. Powwows can unite communities.
Powwow Day
Author
Traci Sorell (Cherokee Nation)
Illustrator
Madelyn Goodnight (Chickasaw Nation)
Summary
It’s powwow day—but eight-year-old River can’t dance this year because she’s been very sick for a very long time. River struggles with the isolation of a serious illness and the frustration of her physical limits—and as she finds solace in the healing power of community. Family members support and encourage River to go to the event, even though she can’t dance. She feels better once she gets to the powwow, even though she can’t participate. Native people have to overcome obstacles like everyone else; and spending time with family at events, especially in song and dance, helps people begin to heal.
We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga
Author
Traci Sorell (Cherokee Nation)
Illustrator
Frané Lessac
Summary
The word otsaliheliga (oh-jah-LEE-hay-le-gah) is used by members of the Cherokee Nation to express gratitude, which is given throughout the four seasons. Beginning in the fall with the new year and ending in summer, this book follows a full Cherokee year of celebrations and experiences, demonstrating that gratitude can occur all year long. It also introduces Cherokee people in their everyday life and how they engage in important ceremonies.
Conclusion
Stories included in this category showcase a variety of values and events. Readers learn about different traditional foods, songs, and dances throughout these books. Colorful illustrations and vivid words bring these events to life.
About the Author
Andrea M. Page
Andrea M. Page (Hunkpapa Lakota) is a children’s author, educator and speaker. Her published book, Sioux Code Talkers of World War II (Pelican Publishing 2017) tells the story of seven Native American Code Talkers’ military service in the Pacific Theater. She also writes educator guides for publishers and works on projects for We Need Diverse Books.
Andrea serves as a Board member of the Children’s Literature Assembly (CLA) of the NCTE. She is a citizen of the Standing Rock Nation, and lives in Rochester, NY with her husband. Please visit www.WriterAndreaPage.com.
